Enemy's Military Formation Does Not Scare Us

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The Iranian Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, stated in the First National Congress of Foreign Policy and History of Foreign Relations congress which was held for  commemorating the Fajr decade and recalling the role of Imam Khomeini (RA) and the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution, that the main slogan of the people during the revolution was “Independence, Freedom, Islamic Republic.”

Explaining the reason why the people emphasized independence, he said: Although Iran was not a colony in history, the people did not consider themselves to have true independence in the decade leading up to the revolution. Qajar history was full of feelings of humiliation resulting from foreign interference, to the point that the Shah, as the head of state, could not freely travel anywhere in the country.

Referring to the coup of August 19 and Imam Khomeini’s famous speech about the Capitulation Law, Araghchi emphasized that this law, which granted judicial immunity to American citizens, was a symbol of dependence and negation of national sovereignty.

He stated: “The main axis of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic is independence. The negation of domination and independence is one of the basic principles of the system, and if this principle is not understood, it will be difficult to understand Iran’s foreign policy.”

The Foreign Minister continued by calling Iran’s peaceful nuclear program an example of independence and said: Iran has paid a lot of money to achieve peaceful nuclear technology, and this is a national need. No one has the right to tell Iran what it should or should not have; enrichment is Iran’s inalienable right.

Araghchi added: “Enemies are preventing Iran’s enrichment under the pretext of their concerns, but no one has the right to order us just because of their own desires. Iran has proven that it does not take orders from anyone.”

He continued: “If there is a question about the nuclear program, the solution is only through diplomacy. The enemies could not prevent the national will, even by bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities.”

Emphasizing that there is no other option but negotiation, the Foreign Minister said: “Negotiation will be successful when the inalienable rights of the Iranian people are recognized. We do not want anyone to give us rights; our rights exist and must be respected.”

Araghchi continued: We are not seeking to build a nuclear bomb. Our nuclear bomb is the same as saying "no" to the bullying of the great powers, which is denied in the constitution. We have earned this right at great cost, and if we forsake it, we will pay a greater price.

Referring to Iran's intransigence in the 12-day imposed war, he said: Those who in the early days of the war called for unconditional surrender, on the 12th day they called for an unconditional ceasefire. Today, the enemy's military formation in the region does not scare us either.

The Foreign Minister emphasized: We are people of diplomacy and logic, but at the same time, we are ready for war and have the necessary defense power.

Araghchi concluded his speech by saying: If they speak to the Iranian people with the language of force, we will respond with the same language, and if they speak with the language of respect, we will respond with respect. The first principle of Iran's foreign policy is dignity; that is, preserving the independence and dignity of the country.